Apparatuses and methods for reducing ozone creation from ultraviolet (UV) light

Abstract

Apparatuses and methods are described for use of an ultraviolet (UV) light source, such as in a cleaning device, in which ozone creation due to reaction of the UV light with oxygen in the air is reduced. An example method includes dispersing, by a gas outlet, oxygen-depleted gas over a UV light source, and directing UV light from the UV light source to pass through the oxygen-depleted gas onto an area. An example apparatus includes a UV light source to direct UV light onto an area, and a gas outlet to disperse oxygen-depleted gas over the UV light source, such that the UV light passes through the oxygen-depleted gas onto the area.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A system, comprising:
 a gas container; 
 oxygen-depleted gas in the gas container; and 
 an apparatus comprising:
 an ultraviolet (UV) light source to direct UV light onto an area; and 
 a gas outlet connected to the gas container to disperse the oxygen-depleted gas over the UV light source, such that the UV light passes through the oxygen-depleted gas onto the area, 
 
 wherein the UV light source is positioned to face the gas outlet, and the gas outlet is positioned to face the UV light source. 
 
     
     
       2. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the gas outlet disperses the oxygen-depleted gas over the area so as to displace air that is in a path of the UV light while the UV light source is emitting the UV light. 
     
     
       3. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the UV light source comprises one or more of an excimer lamp, a light emitting diode (LED), or a laser. 
     
     
       4. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the UV light source generates the UV light having wavelengths between about 100 nm to about 380 nm. 
     
     
       5. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the gas outlet disperses the oxygen-depleted gas over the area for a predetermined time period prior to operation of the UV light source to direct the UV light onto the area. 
     
     
       6. The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a gas inlet to capture the dispersed oxygen-depleted gas into a container. 
 
     
     
       7. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the gas outlet is positioned to disperse the oxygen-depleted gas toward the UV light source. 
     
     
       8. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the UV light source is positioned to direct the UV light toward the gas outlet. 
     
     
       9. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the oxygen-depleted gas comprises an inert gas. 
     
     
       10. A system, comprising:
 a gas container; 
 oxygen-depleted gas in the gas container; and 
 an apparatus comprising:
 an ultraviolet (UV) light source to direct UV light onto an area; and 
 a gas outlet connected to the gas container to disperse the oxygen-depleted gas over the UV light source, wherein the gas outlet and the UV light source are positioned in a lavatory on an aircraft, and wherein: 
 the UV light source operates to emit the UV light when the lavatory is not in use; and 
 the gas outlet disperses the oxygen-depleted gas over the area so as to displace air that is in a path of the UV light while the UV light source is emitting the UV light, 
 
 wherein the UV light source is positioned to face the gas outlet, and the gas outlet is positioned to face the UV light source. 
 
     
     
       11. The system of  claim 10 , wherein the UV light source comprises one or more of an excimer lamp, a light emitting diode (LED), or a laser. 
     
     
       12. The system of  claim 10 , wherein the gas outlet disperses the oxygen-depleted gas over the area for a predetermined time period prior to operation of the UV light source to direct the UV light onto the area. 
     
     
       13. The system of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a gas inlet to capture the dispersed oxygen-depleted gas into a container. 
 
     
     
       14. The system of  claim 10 , wherein operation of the apparatus is triggered based on detection of turning off a light in the lavatory. 
     
     
       15. The system of  claim 10 , wherein the gas outlet stops dispensing the oxygen-depleted gas once a gas cloud is formed. 
     
     
       16. A system, comprising:
 a gas container; 
 oxygen-depleted gas in the gas container; and 
 an apparatus comprising:
 an ultraviolet (UV) light source to direct UV light onto an area; and 
 a gas outlet connected to the gas container to disperse the oxygen-depleted gas over the UV light source, wherein the gas outlet and the UV light source are positioned in a lavatory on an aircraft, and wherein: 
 the UV light source operates to emit the UV light when the lavatory is not in use; and 
 the gas outlet disperses the oxygen-depleted gas over the area so as to displace air that is in a path of the UV light while the UV light source is emitting the UV light, and 
 
 a gas inlet to capture the dispersed oxygen-depleted gas into a container. 
 
     
     
       17. The system of  claim 16 , wherein the UV light source comprises one or more of an excimer lamp, a light emitting diode (LED), or a laser. 
     
     
       18. The system of  claim 16 , wherein the gas outlet disperses the oxygen-depleted gas over the area for a predetermined time period prior to operation of the UV light source to direct the UV light onto the area. 
     
     
       19. The system of  claim 16 , wherein operation of the apparatus is triggered based on detection of turning off a light in the lavatory.